Nominations open for Historic Preservation award

The Los Altos Historical Commission is accepting nominations for its annual Los Altos Historic Preservation award.
    The award honors local residents who encourage public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the city's past, and foster civic and neighborhood pride and sense of identity based the recognition and use of the city's historic resources. This is the third year for the award. City historian Don McDonald won in 2013 and former mayor Marge Bruno in 2013.
    Nominees are evaluated on their demonstration of innovative efforts in historical preservation or education, conformance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Rehabilitation, public benefit received and impact on the city.
    Nominations are due by 5 p.m. April 17 at Los Altos City Hall, 1 N. San Antonio Road. Submit one copy of all necessary documents in care of Historical Commission staff liaison Sierra Davis.
    The commission is scheduled to vote on the 2014 winner at its April 28 meeting and will honor the winner with a proclamation at its May 13 meeting.
    To download a nomination form and for more information, visit losaltosca.gov/historicalcommission/page/los-altos-historic-preservation-award.

Diabetes nonprofit makes name for itself in Bay Area

Tamar Sofer-Geri

A Los Altos resident’s startup nonprofit continues to makes strides – albeit small ones.

Tamar Sofer-Geri, who founded Carb DM in 2011, said her organization is slowly becoming a recognized entity in supporting and educating Bay Area families affected by Type 1 diabetes. Also known as juvenile diabetes, the autoimmune disease affects 5 percent of all diabetics in the U.S., according to the American Diabetes Association.

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Pianist performs at CHAC benefit

Eigsti

Pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti is scheduled to perform a benefit concert for the Children’s Health Awareness Council 8 p.m. today at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

Eigsti, a two-time Grammy Award nominee raised in Menlo Park, has garnered international critical acclaim for his innovative, improvisational musical storytelling.

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Costumed creatures promote 15th Zimbabwe run

Courtesy of Ellen Clark
Ellen Clark, bottom left, and friends promote the upcoming Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Fair with a Feb. 26 visit to the MVLA Adult Education preschool. Clark is slated to visit Know Knew Books in Los Altos Thursday and the Los Altos main library Friday.

The 15th annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Fair is scheduled noon to 4 p.m. March 23 at St. Joseph Catholic School, 1120 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View.

This year’s proceeds benefits the 92 orphans of the Makumbi Children’s Home in Zimbabwe and construction of the Sister Batsirai Cottage.

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100 Women foundation hosts seventh annual dinner and fundraiser

The Los Altos-founded 100 Women Charitable Foundation has scheduled its seventh annual Member Dinner and Grant Vote 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Crowne Plaza Cabaña Hotel, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.

The event brings together hundreds of members and their guests for an evening culminating in the disbursement of $165,000 to the foundation’s 2013 grant finalists: CASA of San Mateo County, Counseling and Support Services for Youth, Downtown Streets Team, Fresh Lifelines for Youth, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Santa Clara County and the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center.

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Panetta talks leadership at Celebrity Forum

Courtesy of Lori Thomas
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta, center, attends a Feb. 19 reception co-hosted by the Foothill Commission and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. Flanking Panetta are Celebrity Forum founder Richard L. Henning and Foothill College President Judy C. Miner.

Leon Panetta, newly retired after a half-century career in government, celebrated a homecoming of sorts with his Feb. 21 appearance at the Celebrity Forum Speaker Series at Flint Center in Cupertino.

The former congressman, U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA director was born and raised in Monterey and graduated from Santa Clara University.

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